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Schulte struck by car while bicycling

"Oak Harbor School District Superintendent Rick Schulte sustained multiple injuries Friday night when the bicycle he was riding on Highway 20 in Coupeville was struck by a vehicle. According to a Washington State Patrol report, Schulte, 51, was turning left onto Highway 20 from South Main Street in Coupeville a little after 6 p.m. Friday when a 1995 Ford F150 pickup truck, driven by 30-year-old Christine M. Howe of Sammamish, failed to stop at a red light and struck the front of Schultes bike. The truck was travelling at close to highway speeds at the time of the collision.Schultes right arm was fractured in two places and he received bruises and lacerations. He was riding alone at the time and was wearing a helmet. Schulte was taken to Whidbey General Hospital and spent six hours in the emergency room for treatment and observation. Howe was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident and suffered no injuries, according to the state patrol report. She was not cited at the scene but a citation for failing to stop at a red light was issued to her Monday.Though broken and bruised, Schulte was back at work Monday morning and said he considered himself lucky to be alive.Schulte, an avid cyclist, said he often follows a route that takes him through the Coupeville intersection. He said the accident will now make him doubly cautious everywhere he travels by bike.Im very lucky, he said. Six inches one way or the other and it may not have ended the way it did. Schulte said a local Sheriffs deputy and doctor were near the intersection at the time and he received immediate attention.Im very thankful, he said.Schulte will be in an arm cast for at least six weeks."

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